8 minute read
ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA
CAREGIVER & FAMILY PROGRAMS
Caregiver, educational, and informational programs and resources are listed.
Advertisement
Alzheimer’s & Dementia: First Steps for Families: Learn about dementia-related diseases, what families can do, and resources to help. Boost Your Brain Health: Tips to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s & dementia: Learn how the brain works and receive tips on improving your brain health and how to lower your risk of developing dementia through nutritional and lifestyle advice. The Caregiving Journey: An intensive program for family members caring for someone with middle- to late-stage dementia to increase understanding of the effects of dementia, gain insights into caregiver strengths and challenges, enhance problem-solving skills, and develop an individualized care plan. Communication Tips and Strategies: Learn ways to effectively and compassionately communicate with someone who has dementia. End of Life and Dementia: Discuss the critical decisions often faced at end of life and ways to communicate and stay connected in the later stages. Family Dynamics in the Dementia Journey: Discover ways dementia impacts families and the value of recognizing and accepting each person’s strengths and weaknesses as caregivers. Is it Time for Facility Care?: This program will review things to consider when making the decision to move to facility care. Legal and Financial Planning Workshop: A seminar for families providing a general overview of legal and financial issues to consider for loved ones with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementia. Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Learn the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the causes of dementia, and receive practical things you can do, whether you are concerned about yourself or a loved one. Understanding & Responding to Behavior Changes: Understand reasons why behavior changes occur and get problemsolving tips to help prevent and cope with them.
We All Forget: Is it normal aging or should I be concerned?: We all forget names occasionally and misplace keys and wallets. Learn what is normal for our brains as we age, how our memories work, and what we can do if we are concerned for ourselves or others.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiving Center alz.org/care
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY
To become a dementia-friendly business or organization, the business or organization must commit to certain criteria, including training for management and 50 percent of their front-line employees, being open to discussions regarding environment changes (i.e. lighting, signage, layout, etc.), and undergoing an on-site visit/follow-up training on an annual basis to recertify its dementia-friendly status. For more information, please visit alzwisc.org.
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY MIDDLETON
(608) 515-8663 facebook.com/dementiafriendlymiddleton
HASKINS SHORT & BRINDLEY, LLC 5113 Monona Dr., Monona 53716 (608) 237-6673 receptionist@hsbelderlaw.com hsbelderlaw.com
Haskins Short & Brindley, LLC specializes in providing professional
and compassionate legal services in the areas of estate planning and elder law. Substantial expertise includes powers of attorney, wills, trusts, guardianships, medical assistance planning (Medicaid), veterans benefits assistance, and estate administration (probate).
WILLY STREET CO-OP
(608) 251-6776 East (608) 709-5445 North (608) 284-7800 West willystreet.coop
PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA ISSUES
ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN (608) 232-3400 or (888) 308-6251 alzwisc.org
Memory Cafés: A social gathering place for persons with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s, or other dementia and their family and friends offering an opportunity to visit, share common interests, and enjoy refreshments. Visit alzwisc.org for locations and times.
Crossing Bridges: Four-week educational support group for people who have mild memory loss, are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, or are a primary care partner. Meeting Minds: A memory enhancement program for people with mild memory impairment, early Alzheimer’s, or other dementia that includes stimulating activities, intellectual exercises, and tai chibased exercise.
MY CHOICE WISCONSIN 1617 Sherman Ave., Madison 53704 (800) 963-0035 mychoicewi.org/JA
My Choice Wisconsin offers governmentfunded programs to frail seniors and adults with disabilities. We match members to the health and long-term care supports and services they need.
Your partner along the journey.
Offering LOCAL support andeducation for individuals, families and caregivers facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer's orother dementia. su pport@a lzwi sc. org 608.232.3400 or 888.308.6251 www.alzwisc.org
VISITING ANGELS 6401 Odana Rd., Ste. 15, Madison 53719 (608) 819-0665 infomadison@visitingangels.com visitingangels.com/madisonwi
Local family-owned business offering flexible hourly care, 24/7 care, and respite care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our services include bathing, dressing, walking assistance, grooming, medication reminders, errands, shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and friendly companionship.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS & LOCAL RESOURCES
Visit the Safe & Healthy at Home section to find assistance and respite in your residence.
ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA ALLIANCE OF WISCONSIN 3330 University Ave., Ste. 300 Madison 53705 (608) 232-3400 or (888) 308-6251 support@alzwisc.org alzwisc.org
The Alzheimer‘s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin provides hope for people facing Alzheimer’s or other dementias through education, support, and personalized guidance to understand the diseases, learn how to continue living a satisfying and rewarding life, and plan for the future. All donations stay local to support individuals and families in Wisconsin.
BRIGHTSTAR CARE® 3240 University Ave., Ste. 3A Madison 53705 (608) 441-8620 brightstarcare.com/madison
BrightStar Care is your solution for all stages of dementia care. Whether you need respite, overnights, or roundthe-clock care, our team of dementia specialists will work closely with you to create a customized plan of care for your loved one.
CROHN’S, COLITIS & IBD SUPPORT GROUP - STOUGHTON HEALTH
This group meets the third Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Contact Marilyn (608) 873-7928. Currently COVID-19 restrictions.
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP - STOUGHTON HEALTH
This group meets the second Monday at 6:00 p.m. Contact Jen at (608) 877-3485. Currently COVID-19 restrictions.
HEALING HOMES BY TAUNI
healinghomesbytauni@gmail.com
VISITING ANGELS 6401 Odana Rd., Ste. 15, Madison 53719 (608) 819-0665 infomadison@visitingangels.com visitingangels.com/madisonwi
Local family-owned business offering flexible hourly care, 24/7 care, and respite care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our services include bathing, dressing, walking assistance, grooming, medication reminders, errands, shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and friendly companionship.
WISCONSIN ALZHEIMER’S INSTITUTE
END OF LIFE
23 Do-Not-Resuscitate
Bracelets 23 Funeral &
Cremation Services 23 Grief & Spiritual Support 25 Hospice Care 26 Hospice Inpatient Facilities
GRIEVING: How to Help
BY GUNDERSON LIFE CELEBRATION CENTERS
Losing someone close to you is never easy. Death is inevitable, but we’re never truly prepared for it.
When someone you know loses a person close to them, it can be hard to find the right words. Instead of focusing on saying just the right thing, focus on understanding what not to say; it could be the best way to help someone grieve.
What Not to Do or Say
1. Don’t isolate them. Your tone of speech is very important in how you make someone feel. But don’t be a sensationalist; you don’t want your friend to feel like their pain is the source of gossip. It’s okay to show them you’re also sad, which will provide comfort and let them know they’re not alone. 2. Don’t be afraid to talk about both the positive and negative. While you want to be positive and focus on the good, focusing solely on the positive, especially in the beginning stages of grieving, can make a friend feel like their grief isn’t validated and the process is being softened. Don’t be afraid to state how hard it is; it’s okay to point out the light at the end of the
tunnel and acknowledge the gravity of the current situation at the same time.
3. Don’t compare your experiences to theirs unless appropriate. While everyone goes through this at some point, it doesn’t make the process easier by comparing it to someone else’s experience. A death is hard, and comparing experiences, even if they are similar, may belittle the other person’s situation.
4. Don’t diminish someone’s grief. Acknowledgement is one of the best ways to show your support. It’s okay to talk about the deceased and to openly speak about the situation, but be careful not to unintentionally diminish the person’s grief by saying things like “everything is going to be okay” or “you’ll be fine.” The greatest way you to honor someone’s grief is to ask how they feel and simply listen. Trying to downplay the pain by minimizing it will likely only make them feel more disconnected.
5. Don’t wait to reach out. While it’s never easy for those going through the grieving process, knowing friends are there and ready to listen can make coping with a loss a little bit easier. A message as simple as
“I’m thinking of you” can go a long way in helping them heal.
Losing someone can be difficult to reconcile. Whether someone loses their spouse, sibling, friend, or even a pet, it’s terrible, and they’ll need a healthy grieving process to get through. Providing emotional support by listening to treasured memories, allowing them to cry, and letting them know you’re there for them during one of the most difficult times of their life can be the best thing you can do for them.
Submitted by Gunderson Life Celebration Centers.
Gunderson Life Celebration Centers
DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE BRACELETS
Direct emergency medical technicians, first responders, and emergency healthcare facilities’ personnel. See also the Advance Healthcare Directives in the Essential Preparation section or Legal in the General section to set up advance healthcare directives which can detail your wishes when you are unable.
DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE BRACELETS (DNR) INFO
(608) 266-1568 dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/dnr.htm
FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES
FOSTER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE
(608) 661-3678 or (844) 363-7193 fosterfuneralhomes.com
GUNDERSON LIFE CELEBRATION CENTERS 5203 Monona Dr., Madison 53716 (608) 221-5420 gundersonFH.com
Dedicated to meeting the wishes of the families we serve. Our priority is to provide personalized and meaningful celebrations of life at a fair value. We offer the comfort and attention our clients deserve, and support them in one of the most difficult times in their lives.
GRIEF & SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
AGRACE
(608) 276-4660 agrace.org/griefgroups
